Andrew KNIEWASSER

KNIEWASSER, Andrew Graham O.C.
September 9, 1926 – November 8, 2013
Passed away peacefully in his 88th year after a rich and fulfilling life. Sadly missed by his wife of 62 years, Jacqueline (née Delaney), children Peter (Nancy Gale), David (Astrid Golinski), John (Michael Soye) and Andrea (David Magahey), grandchildren, Alexandra, Max, Paul, Lauren and Julia, great-grandson Lucius, his sister Barbara (Frank Oakes) and many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his father Dr. Andrew Vernon Kniewasser and his mother Helen Cooch and his sister Betty Anne (John Smith). Andy was born in Ottawa where he attended Lisgar Collegiate before going on to study Economics at Queen's University where he excelled both academically and in sports, in particular football, where he was rookie of the year.
Andy, with Jacqueline at his side, began his career in the Foreign Service after his graduation. His postings would take him and his family to Athens, Beirut, Cairo, and Caracas and then four years in Paris as Canada's Commercial Counsellor. In 1963, Andy returned to Canada as General Manager of Expo 67 The World's Fair in Montreal. The management group for Expo became known as Les Durs - the tough guys - in charge of creating, building and managing Expo. Andy had a reputation as a straight shooter. He remained in the public service after Expo and worked in Ottawa where he was named Assistant Deputy Minister of Industry, Trade and Commerce, then Senior Deputy Minister. In 1972 Andy left the public service to become the President and CEO of the Investment Dealers Association of Canada where he remained for 20 years. During his tenure with the Investment Dealers Association Andy advocated for the securities industry and provided expert advice to numerous governments on securities and regulatory markets.
Whether working for Canada abroad or at home, Andy was a passionate Canadian who felt a great gratitude and responsibility towards his country.
An avid outdoorsman, Andy enjoyed fishing and hunting trips all across Canada. In every small town or remote location that Andy would visit, he made a point of meeting and chatting with people. He continued to shoot skeet and did so better than his sons for the rest of his life. He went hunting in Saskatchewan in his 87th year. He gave up downhill skiing after one too many broken legs and instead worked the bush on his country property and regularly involved friends and family in tree cutting forays. Throughout their lives together Andy and Jacqueline would travel the world, speaking many languages and making friends abroad. After retirement and extensive travel, Andy and Jacqueline settled in the countryside in Blackstock, Ontario and moved back to Ottawa in 2005 choosing to spend winters in Clearwater, Florida.
In recognition of his great contribution to the immense success of Expo '67 Andy was awarded The Order of Canada and, in recognition of his contribution to the investment industry, he was awarded the Investment Industry Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff and doctors of the Elisabeth Bruyère Hospital for the compassionate care Andy received in his final days.
A celebration of Andrew's life will be held on November 23rd, 2013. The family will receive friends at the Garden Chapel of Tubman Funeral Homes, 3440 Richmond Rd., Ottawa, on Saturday, November 23rd, 2013 from 1pm until the Funeral Service in the Chapel at 2 p.m. A reception for friends and family will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a donation in memory of Andrew G. Kniewasser to The Salvation Army or the Bruyère Continuing Care.